Multiple electric element mounting system

Abstract

An electric element mounting system including a housing and at least one heating element. Each element includes a frame having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, a heating coil and a wire terminal for electrically and mechanically coupling the element to the front panel. A substantially planar mounting bracket is located within the housing; the bracket including at least one aperture. The bracket is located within the housing and placed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame so that the distal end is placed through the aperture to mount the element upon the bracket.

We claim:  
     
       1. An electric element mounting system comprising: 
       a housing;  
       a heating assembly having a front panel located within said housing;  
       at least one heating element, each said element including  
       a frame having a longitudinal axis and a distal end,  
       a heating coil,  
       and a wire terminal for electrically and mechanically coupling said element to said panel;  
       a substantially planar mounting bracket located within said housing, said bracket including at least one aperture, said bracket located within said housing and placed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame;  
       wherein said distal end is placed through said aperture to mount said element upon said bracket.  
     
     
       2. The mounting system of claim  1  wherein said aperture is entirely contained within a recess located on said planar mounting bracket. 
     
     
       3. The mounting system of claim  1  wherein said aperture is diamond-shaped. 
     
     
       4. The mounting system of claim  1  wherein said distal end comprises a tab. 
     
     
       5. The mounting system of claim  1  wherein said aperture is entirely contained within a recess located on said planar mounting bracket, said aperture is diamond-shaped and said distal end comprises a tab. 
     
     
       6. The mounting system of claim  5  wherein said distal end is initially placed through said aperture and then said frame is rotated between at least 15 degrees to securely mount said element upon said bracket. 
     
     
       7. The mounting system of claim  1  further comprising fastening means for securing said wire terminal to said panel. 
     
     
       8. The mounting system of claim  7  wherein said fastening means comprises a metal sheet screw. 
     
     
       9. A method of mounting a plurality of heating coil elements in an electrical resistance heating assembly, said method comprising 
       providing a housing;  
       providing a heating assembly including a front panel located within said housing;  
       providing at least one heating element, each said element including a frame having a longitudinal axis and a distal end,  
       a heating coil,  
       and a wire terminal for electrically and mechanically coupling said element to said panel;  
       providing a substantially planar mounting bracket located within said housing, said bracket including at least one aperture, said bracket located within said housing and placed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame;  
       placing said distal end through said aperture to mount said element upon said bracket.  
     
     
       10. The method of claim  9  wherein said aperture is entirely contained within a recess located on said planar mounting bracket. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim  9  wherein said aperture is diamond-shaped. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim  9  wherein said distal end comprises a tab. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim  9  wherein said aperture is entirely contained within a recess located on said planar mounting bracket, said aperture is diamond-shaped and said distal end comprises a tab. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim  13  wherein said distal end is initially placed through said aperture and then said frame is rotated between at least 15 degrees to securely mount said element upon said bracket. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim  9  further comprising providing a fastening means to fasten said wire terminal to said panel. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim  15  wherein said fastening means comprises a metal sheet screw.